Brookville Mayor Chuck Letner (left) presents a certificate of recognition to Ken Gollahon, owner of Brookville Roadster.
Terry Baver | The Register-Herald
BROOKVILLE — Ken Gollahon addressed council on the services provided by Brookville Roadster, located at 718 Albert Road.
Gollahon said Brookville Roadster reproduces eight different all-steel roadster and coupe body styles.
“What we do is reproduce 1928-1932 Fords,” Gollahon said.
“Basically it comes in as a flat sheet of metal and leaves as a brand new car,” Gollahon continued.
According to superperformance.com, “Brookville Roadster is the hot rod industry leading steel reproduction body and part producers for 1928-1932 hot rods.”
The website states Brookville Roadster produces bodies and parts for:
• 1928-29 roadsters
• 1930-31 roadsters
• 1932 roadster
• 1932 three-window coupes
• 1928-1932 pickup trucks
“My father. Ray, started the company in 1972,” Gollahon said.
“I was 2 years old when he started the company, so I’ve seen the whole thing from start to finish,” Gollahon continued.
Gollahon, who has a mechanical engineering degree from Ohio University, said when he received his degree, he decided to go back to Brookville and work for his father.
“What a better opportunity than to be able to work for your family and grow a business into what it is today,” Gollahon said.
Gollahon noted his company doesn’t make the engines for the vehicles.
But Gollahon did say his company makes all of the sheet metal and the most of the suspension components.
“You can buy everything from a patch panel to a brand new car, so if you find an original ‘32 roadster in a barn and it needs new doors or new subrails you can purchase it from us. Or you can also buy a new car. That’s what makes us unique,” Gollahon said.
Through the assistance of a video presented by Gollahon that explains how the vehicles are built, “all of the sheet metal panels are made from original gauge cold-rolled steel sheets and are interchangeable with the jetty panels.”
“All of the roadster bodies are hand-assembled by master craftsmen with fit and detail being their top priorities,” the video stated.
Attention to fit and detail, the video stated, is what makes Brookville Roadster world famous.
In addition to the current line of vehicles Brookville Roadster is producing, the video stated the company is now reproducing a brand new all-steel 1932 three-window coupe body.
According to the video, the coupe will come completely assembled with all the details of the original body.
The video stated the body comes complete with wood, doors, deck lid, floor pans, garnish moldings, dash and all sheet metal covers.
“Even Henry Ford would have difficulty telling the difference between between his original body and a Brookville Roadster body,” the video stated.
The video stated Brookville Roadster also manufactures 1928-1931 Model A roadster and roadster pick-up bodies, reproduces 1928-1931 Model A beds and Model A frames.
Kits, the video said, are available in any stage.
“We sell about six to eight full kits a year and we do about 250 bodies a year,” Gollahon said.
Gollahon said anyone wishing to take a tour of the 65,000 square foot manufacturing facility may call (937) 833-4605 to make an appointment.
Reach Terry Baver at [email protected].
